Multi stakeholder forums and Extractives in Africa Public participation & environmentally and socially responsible natural resource use

Background IUCN – A international union established in 1948 with a membership that includes Government and Non- Governmental organizations Provides neutral forum for governments, NGOs, scientists, business and local communities to find practical solutions to conservation and development challenges Implementing the Fair Coasts initiative in Cabo Delgado, Northern Mozambique – aimed at contributing towards enhancing transparency, accountability and governance of the Gas/LNG sector in Mozambique

Fair Coasts initiative Establishment of the Cabo Delgado Sustainable Development Forum (CDSDF) aimed at bringing together stakeholders based and active in the province from both public and private sectors as well as communities & civil society to: Foster regular, structured, evidence-based, inclusive and solution driven multi-partite, dialogue in jointly identifying and addressing social, economic and environmental challenges in the region of Cabo Delgao directly and indirectly affected by natural gas development

Mozambique development Cabo Delgado Development Broader social and economic development Urban development and support infrastructures Supply chain LNG and port development Gas extraction CDSDF – Engaging beyond immediate impacts

Multi Stakeholder Engagement – Why & When From the onset - as a mechanism to enable participatory planning & joint decision making During a crises – often in response to conflict Conflicts of interest Complex problems Lack of trust Tension Crises resolution Information Sharing Participatory development

Who engages?

LESSONS & REFLECTIONS

Significance of enabling multi- stakeholder dialogue? The “trickle-down” of benefits requires a receptacle or benefits have a tendency of flowing in multiple and often un-desired directions There is a strong relationship between communication and conflict – Communication & dialogue require multiple skills at multiple levels All too often the focus is on the direct impacts of the development – with limited attention to cumulative & longer term changes. This requires collaboration, systemic cooperation and the creation of meaningful spaces for engagement

Critical conditions A Common vision - Taking the time to ensure that there is in fact a reason for multi-stakeholder dialogue and a shared understanding of this reason Understanding and engaging with power and power dynamics – the seen & the unseen Facilitation & process – Enabling constructive dialogue amidst complexity, conflicting views, dynamism and chaos Beyond “talk” – Enabling concrete decision-making and timely action

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